‘Mohanlal and Mammootty are puppets in master manipulator Dileep’s hands,’ Malayalam director Vinayan once alleged

Amid all this, an old interview of renowned Malayalam filmmaker Vinayan, in which he levelled serious allegations against Dileep and even claimed that the actor was the unofficial kingpin of Malayalam cinema, has grabbed the attention of many. Days after Dileep was arrested by the police on July 10, 2017, in connection with the actor abduction and assault case, Vinayan told Times of India, “From my personal experience, I know that Dileep is a master manipulator and Mammootty and Mohanlal have just been puppets in his hands.”

Only in SCREEN | Dileep’s downfall: How the 2017 actor abduction and assault case accused dug his own grave in cinema and real life

Maintaining that Dileep wielded significant power in the industry, Vinayan also claimed that he was even calling the shots regarding the trajectory of Malayalam cinema. The director further stated that the actor’s enmity towards him started when he, as the then head of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA), took the actor to task for allegedly refusing to work in a movie after taking an advance from the producer.

Opening up about the incident, Vinayan once told a television channel that his hesitation to take a pro-Dileep stance cost him about 10 years in the industry, during which he apparently struggled to make movies. He claimed that Dileep’s stubborn insistence here was that anyone who tried to “teach him a lesson” should not be in Malayalam cinema. Revealing that Dileep backed out of a film that was supposed to be helmed by Thulasidas after taking Rs 40 lakh as an advance from the producer, Vinayan said he intervened in the matter as the head of MACTA.

Malayalam actor Dileep leaves the Ernakulam district court on December 8. (Credit: PTI)

During an organisational meeting, it became clear that Dileep was in the wrong. So, MACTA urged the actor to settle the matter immediately. However, Dileep apparently did not like this, which led to an indirect tiff between the two. It is worth mentioning here that Vinayan was among the first directors to offer Dileep lead roles in films. They worked together in movies like Kalyana Sougandhikam, Ullasapoongattu, Anuragakottaram, Pranaya Nilavu, and Rakshasa Rajavu.

‘Dileep is an expert in exacting revenge’

Speaking to Manorama News following Dileep’s arrest, Vinayan described the case as a wound inflicted on the heart of Malayalam cinema. “Dileep is an expert in exacting revenge,” he said. “The fact that a film star was behind such a heinous act is a disgrace to Malayalam cinema in front of the world,” Vinayan added, while urging the authorities to ensure that the survivor gets justice.

Also Read | How 2017 actress assault case involving Dileep brought about churn in Malayalam film industry

Following Dileep’s acquittal, Vinayan told the media that the government is responsible for proving whether there was a conspiracy in the case. He stated that court proceedings should continue and noted that, given the many allegations, involvement of a higher court would lend greater credibility to everything.

Although there is no legal problem with readmitting Dileep into film organisations, he warned that if the outfits showed overenthusiasm, their “true intentions” would be exposed to the public. “Dileep was asked to prove the truth, and he did it. Nonetheless, I stand with the survivor,” Vinayan added.